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Jefferson Technical Institute … Jefferson Technical College … Jefferson Community College … Eastern Gateway Community College. Four names, one college founded in 1967 in Steubenville.
It is still known, affectionately, as Jeff Tech to many in our community. This college has been an important asset both for education and economic stability for more than half a century. The three initial presidents, Fred Robie, Edward Florak and Laura Meeks, made a lasting positive impact in the lives of thousands of students and our area at large.
We are a better community because of them. This is why this decision is so heartbreaking.
The decision to pause enrollment after the spring semester was not made lightly. We looked at every possible option but could not come up with a viable alternative to continue sustaining the college beyond the spring semester.
I was appointed to the board of trustees of Eastern Gateway in September. However, my involvement with the college goes back much longer than that. My father spent 27 years on the board of the college, and I also spent 10 years on that board. The loss of the college is devastating both to my family as well as Jefferson County. I am one member of the board of trustees, and I only speak for myself. I do not speak for the entire board.
During my five months on the board, I have spoken with members of the controlling board of the state Legislature, the Ohio Department of Higher Education, the office of Gov. Mike DeWine and the governor himself.
Every single person expressed the same sentiment -- we will do whatever it takes to make sure the students of EGCC are taken care of and have a path forward in their educational plans.
The controlling board in December advanced the college six months of the already approved state subsidy. However, that advance came with conditions and stipulations attached that, unfortunately, the college was unable to meet. The controlling board and Legislature were unwilling to advance any new funds to EGCC.
The school experienced phenomenal online growth with its Free College Program during the past few years. But with unprecedented growth came internal problems. The U.S. Department of Education placed the college on the Heightened Cash Management 2 program for review of the finances. The education department closely reviewed the files submitted for Pell Grant reimbursement, and if the error rate was above their threshold, the requests were denied.
Finally, in January, the department of education decided that any Pell funds approved would not be sent back to the college, but would be placed in escrow pending resolution of several additional items they felt needed to be addressed. That process is still in place today.
The freeze of the Pell Grant reimbursement and the lack of additional funds from the state essentially will cause the college to run out of funds by the end of the spring semester.
EGCC now is in the process of working with Youngstown State University to continue the education of our students. YSU fully intends to provide in-person classes at the Steubenville campus as we always have done. If YSU cannot adequately work with the students on a particular course of study, the advisers at EGCC and the university will individually work with each student to find the best fit for their path forward.
EGCC is working every day to get the answers the students, faculty and staff are anxiously awaiting. I realize this is not an easy transition, but rest assured, EGCC is trying its best to make the best of a bad situation.
We know the stress this is causing the EGCC community. We understand there is concern about the proceeds from the Jefferson County levy. We will try to let you know information as it becomes available.
(D'Anniballe is a resident of Steubenville)